Which intermolecular bond is the weakest?

Van der Waals forces are indeed the weakest type of intermolecular interactions. These forces arise from temporary dipoles that occur when electron distribution around a molecule becomes asymmetrical, leading to attraction between nearby molecules. These interactions are generally quite weak compared to stronger bonding types, such as hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds.

Hydrogen bonds, for instance, are special types of dipole-dipole interactions that occur when hydrogen is covalently bonded to highly electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen, resulting in a significant attraction between molecules. Dative covalent bonds involve the sharing of an electron pair between atoms, but they also represent a stronger interaction compared to Van der Waals forces.

Covalent bonds, which involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms to form molecules, are much stronger than any of the intermolecular forces listed. Therefore, the correct identification of Van der Waals forces as the weakest intermolecular bond reflects an understanding of the different strengths and types of molecular interactions that exist.